Resident urges council to challenge large utility shutoff charge; city outlines options

During public comment, resident Kenneth Reeder of 4000 River Road told the council that tenants and low‑income residents are being hurt by sharply higher termination/reconnection charges and urged elected officials to reconsider the policy or press the utility.

Reeder described the charge’s rise from an earlier figure he cited as about $27 to roughly $94 and said many tenants struggle to pay sewer bills that can equal or exceed other monthly utilities. He asked why the city allows the higher charge and urged officials to seek relief for people who cannot afford it.

The city manager responded that Missouri American Water — not the city — administers water shutoffs and sets the pass‑through charge for turning service off and back on after nonpayment. Staff said the city consented to the company providing that shutoff service and that the company informed the city after an internal cost analysis that the prior charge did not cover its expenses. The city manager said the charge increase was not a negotiable local administrative decision that evening and suggested council could decide whether to intervene in a future rate case before the Missouri Public Service Commission to seek review of the fee.

The transcript records the residents’ concern and the city manager’s explanation but does not include any council motion or formal direction to staff to pursue a PSC intervention that night.